Apparatus for photographic printing



5 Sheets-Sheet 1 A TTO/Q/VEYJ Aug. 2, 1960 N. c. HICKEY, JR., ETALAPPARATUS FOR PHoToGRAPHIc PRINTING Filed July 7, 1958 Aug- 2, 1960 N.c. HICKEY, JR., rs1-AL 2,947,233

APPARATUS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING Filed July '7, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2AT'RNEYJ Aug. 2, 1960 N. c. HlcKEY, JR., ETAL 2,947,233

APPARATUS PoR PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 7, 1958JNVIENToRs BY l ? LL-P 7 Taube A 7 TORNE YJ Aug. 2, 1960 N. c. HICKEY,JR., ETAL 2,947,233

APPARATUS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING Filed July 7, 195e 5 Sheets-Sheet 41W. m A., 5 E TM @Am am m Mcm m HMM f m C A dC M/ me n Mm, Y M B .A

w N l H F- a .A gi T9 w Aug. 2, 1960 N. C. HICKEY, JR., ETAL APPARATUSFOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING Filed July 7, 1958 1.93 /ilb 5 Sheets-Sheet 54o c /23 f /fc K -v /95 E? fes, l/ Y /37 t1 @3d N 57 /zia 39 /23 l Il.ll lll l a L/Ja INVENTORS 856/47@ flax@ ATTORNEYS United States Patent Oi APPARATUS FOR PHTGRAPHIC PRINTING Nathaniel C. Hickey, Jr., 1402 W.6th St., and George C. Mick, 1523 W. th St., both of Freeport, Tex.

Filed July 7, 1958, Ser. No. 746,828

9 Claims. (Cl. 95-75) This invention relates to apparatus forphotographically printing microreproductions and the like.

Microfilm strips have been used in the past years for obtaining on a lmstrip a plurality of separate images of letters, drawings, and othersheets with such images being in a greatly reduced size as compared tothe size of the original letters, drawings or sheets. For example, on an8 millimeter microfilm, a sheet which is 81/2" x 1l would. ordinarily bereduced by a 42:1 ratio; of course, with other sizes of film, thereduction may be different, and even with the same size of film theamount of reduction can be varied. The reduction in size from theoriginal sheet is so great that it is difficult, if not impossible, toread normal handwriting or printing directly from the film with thenaked eye. Therefore, it has been customary to enlarge each image forviewing or if desired, to print an enlarged View on photographic paper.

Microfilm has been largely used for reducing the weight of the letters,drawings or other sheets for mailing purposes. lt can also be used tomake permanent records of books` and the like to facilitate storage inlibraries and similar institutions. However, since the microfilm hasbeen in the form of strips disposed on reels which are necessarily ofconsiderable length, there are a large number of the separate images oneach film strip or reel. It has, therefore, been virtually impossible toreadily locate a particular image on a reel of film. For this reason,microfilm having thereon images of books and the like has beenrelatively valueless to libraries and similar institutions except forpermanent records requiring practically no reference.

lt is an object of this invention to provide a new and improvedapparatus for photographically transferring or printing images on a cardfrom a roll of microfilm or the like, whereby microreproductions areformed which are much easier to store, file, handle and use than theroll of microfilm.

An important object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedapparatus for photographically transferring or printing images frommicrofilm strip or roll to a card to form a microreproduction, wherein aplurality of frames or images on the strip are transferred to the cardsimultaneously to produce a row of frames or images on themicroreproduction and to thereafter transfer one or more other rows offrames or images to the same card.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedapparatus for transferring or printing microreproductions and the likefrom a roll of microfilm and the like, wherein the microreproductionsand the microfilm are held in contact by a pressure platen during thetransfer or printing operation, such pressure platen having a bandacting thereon for applying a substantially uniform pressure to themicroreproductions and microfilm whereby uniformity 'm the printing ofthe microreproductions is obtained.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new 2,947,233Patented Aug. 2, 1960 and improved apparatus for producingmicroreproductions and the like, wherein the microfilm and the cardbeing printed are moved longitudinally and also transversely withrespect to each other, and wherein a platen is provided which issubstantially the same width as the microfilm and which is also movabletransversely to the card so as to always be disposed over the microfilmand in full contact therewith when pressing the film and the card intocontact for printing purposes, whereby uniformity in the prints of eachrow on the card is obtained.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedapparatus for transferring or printing microreproductions and the likefrom microlm, wherein a removable light diluser box is includedtherewith for producing uniform light intensity through the entirelength and width of the portion of the microfilm being printed.

A particular object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedprinting apparatus wherein means are provided for suspending a lightsensitive card above a film prior to exposure to prevent scratching ofthe film or card, and wherein means are provided for moving the cardinto contact with a portion of the film and for applying a uniformpressure thereon during exposure to a light source for photographicallytransferring the images on the film to the card.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedapparatus wherein a mirror is provided for viewing the position of acard and filmwhile they are in contact with each other prior tophotographically printing the images from the film on the card.

The construction dmigned to carry out the invention will be hereinafterdescribed, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of thefollowing specification and by reference to the accompanying drawingsforming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown,and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal view taken on line 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a side sectional View taken on line 3 3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a detailed view taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 2 and illustratingthe advancing or feeding mechanism of the apparatus of this invention;

Fig. 5 is a detailed enlarged sectional view of the upper portion of theapparatus illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a schematic view illustrating successive stages in theoperation of the apparatus of this invention for formingmicroreproductions wherein the microfilm is moved laterally with respectto the card;

Fig. 7 is a schematic view similar to Fig. 6 but illustrating avariation wherein the card is moved laterally with respect to themicrofilm;

Fig. 8 is a view of a microreproduction produced with the apparatus ofthis invention;

Fig. 9 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing amodified form of the invention shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. l0 is a plan view taken on line 10 10 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 1l is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, taken online 11-11 of Fig. 10 and illustrates a construction of Fig. 9 from adifferent position; and

Fig. 12 is an enlarged View of the upper portion of the apparatus ofFig. 9.

In the drawings, the numeral 10 designates the support base or supporthousing of the microreproduction apparatus of this invention which isadapted to be disposed on the floor, a table, or any similar supportduring the use thereof. The base or support housing is adapted tosupport a card or sheet K having a light-sensitive or photo-sensitivesurface. A carrier 11 disposed on the base or support housing is adaptedto carry a strip of mircolm F, whereby the card or sheet K and the lmFcan be brought into contactrfor the contactprinting of-images orpictures on, the iilm F onto thecard orshieet will be explained, theapparatus of this invention isrso constructed that the carrier 11 ismovable relative to therbase or support housing 10 to .effect a movementof the hlm strip F in an direction perpendicular or transverse to themicroreproduction K so that a plurality of rows of images or frames oftheiilm may be photographically printed onV the card or sheet K to forma microprint or microreproduction.

' Referringnow to Figs. 1.-5 particularly, it canibe seen that the base`or supporthousing 10.has extending upwardly from` its upper surface orplate 12 a pair of parallel vertical supports V14,V which Vare integralor suitextends through an opening at each corner of the holder 16,through each spring 15, and is secured in the support 14. The corneropenings in the holder 16 are larger than the diameter of the screws 18so that the holder 16 is vertically movable relative to the screws 18upon compression and expansion of the springs 15. The card K ispositioned in angle brackets 19 disposed on each side of the undersurface of the holder 16. Thus, the card K can be inserted into theholder simply by sliding it into position with the edges of the cardresting upon the horizontal portions of the brackets 19.

The carrier 11 has a carrier plate 20 disposed on the upper plate orsurface 12 of the housing 10, and suitable guide projections 21, such asthe V shaped projections illustrated, are provided on the under side ofthe carrier plate 20 for fitting within guide recesses 12a of similarshape in the upper surface 12 to permit longitudinal movement of thecarrier plate 20 relative to the upper surface 12 but to preventlateralA movement thereof. A pair of vertically extending frame uprights22 are made integral or otherwise secured to the plate 20 and arepositioned on the outside and spaced from therpair of vertical holdersupports 14. The upper ends of the uprights 22 are joined and asillustrated in Figs. 2 and 5, they are integral with a curved platenretainer frame 23 which has a semi-cylindrical inner concave surface23a.

Film reel support plates 25 are mounted on the carrier plate 20 and arejoined to the outer surfaces of the uprights 22. Each film reel supportplate 25 has a pin 26 connected thereto for rotatably supporting one ofthe iilrn reels 27, with one ofthe reels 27 serving to wind up the thefilm strip F thereon as the film is unwound from the other of the reels27.

As best seen -in Figs. l and 2, the carrier plate 20 has longitudinalopenings 30 therethrough, through which the supports 14 extend so as topermit the longitudinal movement o-f the carrier plate 2t) relative tothe support 10'without interference from the supports 14.

Between the supports 14 and below the holder 16, there is positioned onthe carrier plate 20 a light diffuser box 33 which-has an insert 33aY ofclear material through which -light may p-ass and over which the lmstrip F is 4 used for the insert 33b. A light compartment 35 isconnected to the carrier plate 29 and extends below the light box 33with the insert or lower surface 33b of the box 33 forming the uppersurface of the light compartment 35. The Vertical walls 35a of the lightcompartment extend through a longitudinal opening 12b in the upper plate12 of the housing 10, so as to permit longitudinal movement of the lightcompartment 35 relative to the housing 11i along with the otherconnected parts lof the carrier 11. `An electric white light bulb 36 isdisposed in the light `compartment 35 and is connected electrically toan automatic timer switch (not shown) in a conventional manner tocontrol the turning on and off of such light bulb, whereby the exposurelight from the bulb 36 may be passed through the diuser insert 33!) andclear insert 33a to the lm F when desired. The insert 33b is positionedbetween the light bulb 36 and the insert 33a for diffusing the lightfrom the bulb 36 totransmit a uniform intensity light throughv theentire length and width of the insert 33a to the portion of film Fthereabove.

There is also positioned on the carrier plate 20 a light box'37 whichhas a red light bulb 38 therein so that light therefrom may pass throughthe opening 33e in the light box 33 for the purpose of setting the cardand film in proper position prior to the time that the white light fromthe bulb is turned on for the exposure during the contact printing.Suitable electrical wiring and switches (not shown) will, of course, beutilized for turning the red light 38 on and off as Vfor turning thewhite light 36 on and olf. It should be noted that the light box 33 isremovable from .the carrier plate 20 by lifting the box 33 slightlyupwardly so that the lower edges 33d thereof are above parallel sidestops 28 which are mounted on the plate 20 on the outside of the box33VV (Fig. 3) and parallel stop-s 29 which are mounted on the plate 20on the inside of the box 33 Y(Fig. l). Different light boxes 33 havingdiiferent width clear inserts 33a may thus be used for Ydifferent widthsof images on the film F so that the insert 33a which is in use is thesame width as the particular imageson the film F from which printing isbeing done.

The upper plate 12 of the housing 10 also has longitudinal openings 12Cwhich are disposed immediately below the longitudinal opening 3l) in thecarrier plate 20, whereby a pressureband 39 passes through the op-enings12C and 30 for disposition between the uprights 22 and the, supports 14.VThis band 39V is continuous, that is, forms a Vcomplete endless loopwhich fits over `a semicylindrical convex surface 40a of a pressureplaten 40 which rests upon the card holder 16. The pressure platen 40 tswithin arrecess 23a inthe upper frame portion 23 rso that the platen 40moves longitudinally with the frame 23 and the rest of the carrier 11.Thus, the lower flat surface 40]) of the platen 40 moves longitudinallyrelative to the card holder 16 during the longitudinal movement of thecarrier 11 relative to the housing 10. The surface 40d is preferably ofsubstantially the same width as the width of the lm F so that thepressure applied to the film F by the platen 40 is uniformly distributedthereto. Y The lowerportion of the band 39 is disposed about asemi-cylindrical convex surface 41a of an actuator member 41 which ismounted below the lower end of the light compartment '35. The radius ofcurvature of the convex surface 41a is substantially identical with theradius of curvature of the convex surface 40a so that the verticalportions of the band 39 are parallel and, as will be explained, upon adownward movement of the actuator member 41 a uniform pressure isapplied to the pressure platen 40 through the band 33. The actuatormember 41 is not connected Ato the lightcompartment 35, but is merelysuspended on the band 39 and is retained against lateral movement byguide bars 42 on either side thereof which are connected to thecompartment 35 .(Fig. 3). Each of the guide bars 42 has an opening 42atherethrough, through which passes an actuating lever 43 which ispVotally connected to the light box 35 by a pin 44 which extends throughbrackets 45 depending from the compartment 35. Such actuating lever 43is of sullicient length to project from the side of the housing 10through an opening 47 in the side of the housing, and a resilient means,such as the spring 48, is preferably provided to hold the lever 43 inits raised position (Fig. 3). This spring 48 is connected to an eyescrew 49 on the inside of the housing 10 and at its other end to an eyebracket 5t) on the lever 43. Upon a downward movement of the lever 43,the actuating member 41 is moved downwardly to carry with it the band'39 so as to effect a downward movement of the pressure platen 40. Inthe form of the invention shown in Figs. l-S, as the pressure platen 40moves downwardly, the holder 16 also moves downwardly against the actionof the springs 15 until the card K is brought into contact with the filmstrip F on the upper insert surface 33a of the light box 33. During suchcontact, the white light 36 is turned on and thus, the card K is exposedto the images on the portion or section of the iilm F therebelow.

It will be observed that the iilm F must pass through openings 22a inthe uprights 22, openings 39a in the band 39, and openings 14e in theholder supports 14 in order for the film F to pass over the insert 33a.Since the band 39 moves vertically relative to the film F, the opening39a must be of suicient vertical length to permit the movement of theband 39 without contacting the lilm F. One form of construction whichcan accomplish this extended opening 39a in the band 39 is shown indetail in Fig. 5, wherein the openings 39a are each formed in separateplatesStl, each of which is rectangular in shape and has its upper andlower ends riveted to the band 39 by rivets 51. Thus, the band 39 asshown in the drawings is made continuous by the connection of theseplates S which have the rectangular opening 39a therein. It will beappreciated, of course, that the band 39 could be Vformed with theopenings 39a therein rather than having the separate plates 50.

The longitudinal movement of the carrier plate 20 with the partsconnected thereto can be eiected with various devices, but it isimportant that the carrier plates 20 be moved a distance equal toapproximately the width of the iilm for each stage of the contactprinting ona particular card K, as will be evident hereinafter. Toeffectthis step by step longitudinal movement of the carrier 11 relativeto the housing 10, a feeding or advancing device 55 (Figs. 2 and 4) isused. This feeding device 5S includes a pivoted arm 56 which is pivotedat 57 to the housing 1t) and has pivotally connected thereto at itsupper end a ratchet arm S8. The pivotal connection between the arm 56and the ratchet arm 58 includes a pivot pin 59 which is secured to thearm S8 and has a handle 60 connected thereto to facilitate rotation ofthe arm 58 relative to the arm 56. The other end of the arm '53 has aratchet Vtooth 62 thereon which is adapted to tit within angled recessesor notches 63 on a ratchet bar 64 which is mounted on the carrier plate20. The ratchet tooth 62 on the arm 58 is held in one of the ratchetrecesses 63 by a spring 65 which has one end thereof connected to thehousing 1t) and the other end connected to the bar 58. When it isdesired to move the carrier plate 20 relative to the housing 1t?, Vthearm 58 is pivoted upwardly about its pivot pin S by turning the handle6@ so as to raise the tooth 62 above the ratchet 64. Actually, due tothe coacting inclined faces 62a and 63:1 on the ratchet tooth 62'and therecesses 63 of the ratchet 64, a movement Vof the handle 60 to the left(Fig. 1.1) will carry the ratchet tooth 62 upwardly along the inclinedsurface 62e until the tooth 62 reaches the next recess 63 at which timethe spring 65 will pull the tooth 62 into the next recess 63. The bars56 and 58 are then moved to the left (Fig. 4) and the tooth 62 ispositioned in the next notch or recess 63. Thereafter, the arms 56 and58 are moved to the right together until the arm 56 hits the spot member66 on vthe housing 10, at which time the carrier rplate has been movedlongitudinally a distance equal to, and preferably slightly greaterthan, the width of the lm F, which distance is determined by the widthof each of the teeth on the ratchet 64. Thus, with this feedingmechanism 55, it is assured that the carrier 11 is moved a distancesubstantially equal to the width of the film F for each step by stepmovement of the carrier 11.

After the card K has been completely exposed, the tooth `62 will reachthe end of the ratchet 64 and when it is desired to return the carrier11 to its initial starting position (Fig. 4) such movement is effectedby raising the arm 5S out of engagement with the ratchet 64 and pullingto the right (Fig. 3) on a return lever 70 which is pivoted at 71 to thehousing 10. Such return lever 70 extends upwardly so that upon acounterclockwise rotation thereof (Fig. 3), the upper end of the lever70 will contact the edge or" a lateral extension 20a on the carrierplate 20 to move the carrier 11 to the left or to its original position.A handle 72 may be provided on the lever to facilitate the return actionof the lever 70.

in the operation or use of the apparatus of this invention, the roll ofmicrofilm F which is originally wound upon one of the reels 27 isthreaded through the openings 22a, 39a and 14e so as to position aportion of the film F over the transparent insert 33a on the light box33. The film strip F is, of course, connected to the other reel 27 sothat during the use thereof in the apparatus, the roll of lm may bewound up after each portion is exposed or printed on the cards K. Itwill be appreciated, of course, that when the film F is threaded fromone reel to the other for the initial positioning, the pressure platen40 is in its raised or upper position (Fig. l). The card K which is tobe exposed to the iilm F is positioned in the card holder 16 and isretained against movement by the angle brackets 19 thereon. The card Kis of a width equal to a plurality of widths of the film F and is of alength equal to a plurality of frames or images on the section of theiilm which is positioned on the inserts 33a. The card K is initiallypositioned so that the lm F extends across the upper portion of thecard. With the card K thus positioned in relationship to the lm F, thecarrier 11 is positioned so that the carried plate 20 is at one end ofthe top surface 12 of the housing 10 (Figs. 2 and 3). Thus, the feedingdevice 55 has its ratchet tooth 62 in the first notched recess 63 of theratchet bar 64 (Fig. 4).

With the film positioned relative the card K for the initial exposure,the actuating lever 43 is depressed to lower the actuating member 41which through the band 39 lowers the pressure platen 40 to force theholder 16 downwardly to bring the card K into contact with the portionof the film F disposed on the insert 33a. The white light 36 is thenturned on for the proper length of time to photographically transfer theimage from the portion of the ilm over the insert 33a onto the portionof the card K in contact therewith. The white light is then turned oitand the pressure on the platen 40 is released by permitting the lever 43to return to its raised position. The spring 48 acts to return the lever43, and the springs 15 also assist by forcing upwardly on the holder 16.It should be pointed out that the pressure platen is directly above theinsert 33a and the portion of the film F thereon at all times so thatadequate contact between the iilm and the card is obtained during thecontact printing.

After said first exposure and the raising of the platen 40 as abovedescribed, the feeding mechanism 55 is actuated to move the carrier 11longitudinally on the top plate 12 of the film F. As previouslymentioned, this is accomplished by moving the ratchet tooth 62 into thenext notch or recess 63 on the ratchet bar 64 and then pulling the arms56 and 58 back until the arm 56 contacts the stop 65. It will be notedthat during this movement the card K remains stationary since it ismounted upon the card holder which is directly mounted upon the housing10 through the .supports 14.Y The lm strip F, however, is movedtransversely of the card substantially one width, or in most cases adistance slightly greater than one width of thejfilm, so as to positionthe film strip to expose the next row on the card K. Also, the reel 27upon which the film strip is being wound is rotated so as to present anew series of framesV or images over the inserts 33a on the light box33. During such manipulation, thered light 33 may be utilized if theoperations are carried out in a dark room. This will generally benecessary to prevent premature exposure of the photosensitive orlight-sensitive surface on the card K. With the film F thus moved to anew position with a new series of frames positioned on the light box 33and the film also being positioned approximately one width from theprevious row on the cardwhich had been exposed, the pressure platen 40is lowered in the same manner as previously described by the use of theactuating lever 43. The white light 36 is then turned on for the properlength of time as before, and after sufficient exposure, the pressureplaten 40 is released and the above operations are repeated until thecard K has been printed or exposed completely, or to the extent desired,with the plurality ofV rows of the frames or images thereon. The card Kis then removed from-the card holder 16 and the carrier 11 isreturned toits original position (Fig. 2) by the use of the return lever 70. A newcard K can then be inserted and additional sections of the film can bephotographically transferred to the new card or, if desired, the samesection of Vthe film may be again photographically transferred to thenew card or cards. It will be appreciated that in most instances asingle roll of iilm F will have sufficient frames to transfer to a largenumber of cards. Of course, the number of cards and the number ofexposures per card will depend upon the size of the film and the size ofthe cards, which can be varied as desired within practical limits. Itwill be noted that during each contact printing of a section of the filmon the card, the platen 40 is directly above the section of film beingprinted so that substantially the same pressure is applied during eachcontact printing step, whereby uniformity in the prints of each row onthe card is obtained.

The operation of the apparatus of this invention is illustratedschematically in Fig. 6. The microreproduction K produced by theapparatus of this invention is illustrated in Fig. 8 as having aplurality of rows 80, 81,

V82, 83 and 84, each of the rows being made up of a plurality of iframesor images 85 printed from a different section of the roll of film F. Inmaking such card K, the lrn F is advanced longitudinally or lengthwiseof the card one section for each exposure or each row which is formed onthe final card. Also, the film strip F is moved in a directiontransversely or perpendicular to the length of the card for each new rowto be formed. This relative movement between the film F and the card Kcan be effected by either moving the iilm F with the card remainingstationary as schematically illustrated in Fig. 6, or by moving the cardK while maintaining the film strip F stationary, as schematicallyillustrated in Fig. 7, but Fig. 6 illustrates the operation of theparticular apparatus of Figs. 1-5. The series of steps in Fig. 6 whereinthe card remains stationary while the film F moves relatively thereto ina direction perpendicular to the card includes the sequence of steps A,B, C, D, and E, while in Fig. 7, where the card is moved while the filmF remains stationary, the exposures are obtained in the series of stepsA', B', C', D' and E'. The resultant microreproduction formed by eithertype of relative movement will, of course, be the same. In manyinstances it is desirable to leave a portion ofthe card K foridentification numbers such as are designated by the numeral 86 in Fig.8. For this purpose, a portion of the top row 80 of the card K may beleft without images thereon `for the insertion of the identification 86.

It should be `pointed out that the number of rows of ber of rows ofimages on each card K may be varied as desired. In fact, the spacingofthe rows of the images on each card K may be varied'also as desired.These variations in the number and spacing of the rows of 1m- `ages onthe card K can be readily accomplished by substituting a differentratchet bar 64 which has a different number and spacing of the ratchetteeth 62 and the notches or recesses'63 therebetween. Y

After the complete card has been exposed to have the desired completenumber of rows of the sections of film thereon, the card is developedwith known photographic processes so that the final `card appears as apositive print: After the microreproduction K has been printed it isthen ready for storage and filing, and it can be easily used byinsertion into known types of magnifying viewers.

In Figs. 9-12, a modified construction is illustrated, wherein the partsthereof which are like the parts shown in Figs. l-5 bear like numeralswhile the modiiied portions are identified with different numerals. ofFigs. 9-12 which is modified as compared to Figs. 1-5 is shown in detailin Fig. l2. Basically, such modification includes resilient means suchas the springs which, as will be explained in detail, serve to returnthe pressure platen 4t) to a raised position with the platen surface'tibin a position (Fig. 9) spaced above the holder 16 for the card K. Theplaten 49 is formed with an arcuate groove 40C (Fig. l1) in which theband 39 is positioned to prevent lateral shifting of the band 39 withrespect to the platen 49. Y

The platen 40 also has side projections 191 which are integral with theplaten 40 but which are provided with a slot 191a through which the band39 extends downwardly therefrom. Each of the side projections 191 on theplaten 40 are provided with longitudinal openings 19111 for receivingguide pins 192 therethrough.

The upper end of each upright 22 is formed with a recess 193V in whichthe side projections 191 are positioned for longitudinal movementtherein. The guide pins 192 are threaded at their lower ends to theuprights 22 (Fig. l2) or are otherwise secured to the uprights -22 sothat such pins 192 extend through the longitudinal openings 19112 of theside projections 191. The coil springs 190 or other resilient meanssurround the lower portion of the pins 192 and are positioned below thelower ends of the side projections 191 in the lower parts of therecesses 193. Such springs 190 act to urge the side projections 191upwardly to the uppermost position shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings,wherein the lower platen surface or face 4Gb is spaced above the cardholder 16.

Instead of the frame 23 shown in Figs. l-S, a'pair of spaced framemembers 123 (Fig. 11) which are secured to the uprights 22 are providedfor guiding the movement of 'the platen 40 upwardly and downwardly. Aremovable cover 123a is connected to the frame members 123 with screws12311 or any other suitable securing means. Also, cover strips 122 aremounted above the recesses 193 and are connected to the uprights 22 byscrews 12201 orrother suitable securing means. Y

The springs 15 hold the holder 16 in a raised position when the platen40 isk in its raised position so that the card K or other sheet ofphotosensitive material is positioned above the film F and the surface49.5Y of the platen `40 is positioned above the card holder, 16 (Fig.9). When it is desired to'bring the card K or the sheetrinto contactwith the film F, the platen 40 is moved downwardly by the lowering ofthe lever 43 as explained in connection with Figs. 1-5 so that theactuator'member 41 is moved downwardly for moving the band V39 Vand theplaten 40 downwardly. Such movementcompresses the springs 190 as theplaten 40 moves downwardly since the side extensions 191Kare a part ofthe platen 40 and move downwardly therewith., VThe surface 4Gb of theplaten 40 'moves into contact with the upper surface of One Vportion theholder 16 and then the holder 16 is moved downwardly with the continueddownward movement of the platen 40. The springs 15 are then alsocompressed as the holder 16 is moved downwardly. The downward movementof the platen 40 and the holder 16 continues until the card or sheet Kis moved into contact with the film F for the printing thereof aspreviously explained in connection with Figs. l-5.

The dimensions of the light compartment or box 135 are somewhatdifferent in Figs. 9-12 than in Figs. 1 5 and a door 135a is provided onthe compartment 135, but otherwise the construction and function of thebox or compartment 135 is the same as in connection with Figs. 1-5. Theinsert 133b is also different than the insert 3311 in dimensions onlybut it also serves as a light diffuser in the same manner as the insert33h in Figs. 1-5. The light box 133 is narrower in width than the lightbox 33 of Figs. l-S and it is preferably provided with an extension 133bon its upper surface to which is hinged a door 195. Such door is hingedat a conventional hinge 196 to the lower surface of the extension 133band the door 195 extends downwardly substantially vertically when in theclosed position to cover a transparent portion or section 133e in theside wall of the box 133. When the door 195 is raised to a substantiallyhorizontal position by swinging same upwardly about its hinge 196, theinterior of the light box 133 is visible to a person exteriorly thereof.In order to view the film F and the card or sheet K from beneath thefilm F and through the insert 133a, a mirrored surface or mirror 197 isprovided on the carrier plate 2G so that when the door 195 is moved tothe open position, a person with his eye at about the point indicated bythe schematic illustration of the eye designated E in Fig. 1l, can seeby the aid of the red light 38 the image of the film and the card orsheet K in the mirror 197 because such image is reflected through thetransparent section or portion 133C from the insert 133a to the mirror197. Such viewing facilitates the positioning of the various frames ofthe film F lengthwise with respect to the card for each shifting inposition of the film F with respect to the card.

It should be also noted that the light box 133 is removable by liftingupwardly to raise the lower ends 133d of the light box 133 above theretaining members 28 and 29 so that the light box 133 can be movedlaterally away from the rest of the apparatus and if desired a differentlight box may be used having a different size of the insert 13351 for adifferent size of images on the film F, as explained previously inconnection with Figs. 1-5.

yIt will be `appreciated that aside from the differences in operationwhich result from the changes in structure previously described, theoperation of the device as modified in Figs, 9-12 will be the same asthe operation of the device shown in Figs. 1-5. The differences inoperation between the form of the invention shown in Figs. land the formof the invention shown in Figs. 9-l2 have been previously described andare believed to be self-evident from the drawings and previousdescription.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that this invention provides anapparatus wherein microreproductions are readily formed by transferringa plurality of images 0n a section of microfilm to a row on the card,and wherein each microreproduction formed has thereon a plurality ofrows of such frames or images from the sections of the microfilm. Theapparatus assures that the lm and the card `are moved substantially thewidth of the -film or other desired width for each successive step inthe exposure of the film to the card, and a positive uniform pressure is`always applied directly above the film strip to assure the proper`contact between the film strip portion below the card 'and the cardthereabove during the contact printing.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention isillustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size,shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustratedconstruction may be made, within the scope of the appended claims,without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for forming microcards comprising, a support housing, acard holder mounted on said housing for vertical movement relativethereto, a film carrier positioned on the support housing for lateralmovement relative to the card holder, and a pressure means for applyingpressure to the card holder to bring the card into contact with the lmon the carrier, said pressure means including7 a pressure platendisposed over the card holder and having an upper substantiallyhemicylindrical surface, a band extending over and in conformance withsaid hemicylindrical surface of the platen, and an actuating memberconnected to said band so that upon vertical movement of the actuatingmember the band effects a vertical movement of the pressure platen tomove the card holder vertically so as to bring the card into contactwith the film with the application of uniform pressure thereto.

2. An apparatus for printing images onto a photosensitive sheet from afilm comprising, a support base, a carrier plate movable laterally onsaid base, means for mounting a roll of film on said carrier plate forlateral movement with said carrier plate, a holder for a photosensitivesheet mounted on said support base for limited vertical movementrelative thereto from its lower position wherein a section of the sheetis in contact with a section of the film to a raised position spacedabove said section of film, a pressure platen positioned above saidholder and supported by said carrier plate for lateral movementtherewith, means also mounted on said carrier plate for moving saidplaten downwardly for thereby also moving said holder downwardly to saidlower position, and a source of light carried by said carrier plate formovement therewith to expose the sheet to light for the contact printingof images from the film to the sheet in each lateral position of thefilm with respect to the card.

3. The apparatus set forth in claim 2, including resilient means forurging said pressure platen upwardly and for supporting said platenspaced above said holder so that frictional contact between the platenand the holder during the lateral movement of the platen relative to theholder is prevented.

4. The apparatus set forth in claim 2, wherein said source of lightincludes a light bulb, and a section of light diffuser materialpositioned between said bulb and said film `and sheet to diffuse thelight from the bulb for providing uniform light intensity on the filmand card during exposure thereof.

5. The apparatus set forth in claim 2, including mirror means forviewing said film and said sheet while they are in position with thenext section of the sheet above the next section of the film to beprinted, whereby shifting of the film with respect to the sheet may beaccomplished if necessary prior to exposure thereof to the light fromthe light source.

6. The apparatus set forth in claim 2, wherein said means for movingsaid platen downwardly includes a band extending over said pressureplaten and downwardly therefrom, and an actuating member operativelyconnected to the downwardly extending portion of said band for appli inga downward force to said platen upon a downward movement of saidactuating member.

7. The apparatus set forth in claim 2, including resilient means forurging said pressure platen upwardly and for supporting said platenspaced above said holder so that frictional contact between the platenand the holder during the lateral movement of the platen relative to theholder is prevented, and additional resilient means for urging saidholder upwardly to move said sheet in said holder to the raised positionout of contact with said film during the shifting of the filmlongitudinally and laterally relative to said sheet for .the successiveprinting .of a plurality of images from sections of the r.film Vto saidsheet. w .Y

8. An apparatus for printing imagesY onto. a photosensitive sheet from afilm comprising, a support base, a carrier plate movable laterally onsaid base, means for mounting a roll of ilm on said carrier plate forlateral movement with said carrier plate relative to said support base,a holder for a photosensitive sheet mounted on said support base forlimited vertical movement relative thereto from its lower positionwherein a section of the sheet is in contact with a section of the filmto a raised position spaced above said section of lm, a pressure platenpositioned above said holder and supported by said carrier plate forlateral movement therewith relative to said support base, means alsomounted on said carrier plate for moving said platen downwardly forthereby also moving said holder downwardly to said lower position, alight box removably mounted on said carrier plate and having a lmsupport section of a material on which the section of film rests andthrough which light is adapted to pass, and a compartment below saidlight box having a diuser plate therein and a light source therebelowfor directing light through said light box to said film, said light boxbeing removable for substituting a different box having a differentwidth of film support section for use with a different width of lm.

9. An apparatus for forming microreproductions comprising, a housing, acarrier mounted onithe housing and movable longitudinally relativethereto, said carrierincluding a carrier plate, a pair oflm reelsmountedon the carrier plate for winding and unwinding arr`oll-ofV filmfrom'one-reel to the other, a light box mountedion the carrier plateYand having an upper surface for receiving a section of the lm, saidhousing having extending thereabove a vertical support positionedbetween one side of the light box and one of the reels and anothervertical support between the other side vof the light box and the otherof said reels, a card holder supported by said supports, and means onthe carrier for moving the holder into Contact `With the lm so that thecard and the iilm can be brought into contact for contact printing, saidmeans for bringing the lm and the card into YContact including apressure platen disposed` above said card, holder, and means mounted onthe carrier plate for moving `Ythe platen relative to the.V card holderupona movement of the carrier plate relative to the housing.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES VPATENTS2,025,755 Lyle Dec. 31,

